Delivery mechanism for paper box machines



Jan. 1, 1935. E. G. STAUDE 1,986,023

DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PAPER BOX MACHINES Filed Aug. 24, 1929 5Sheets-Sheet l EDWIN ,6. 6 TA UDE Jan. 1, 1935. E. e. STAUDE l 1,986,023

DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PAPER BOX MACHINES Filed Aug. 24, 1929 5Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ED /N 6, 8"4UOE B /--4 fi ii lwi A TTORNEYSJan. 1, 1935.

E. G. STAUDE DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PAPER BOX MACHINES Fild Aug. 24,1929 5 Shets-Sheet s MAI/EN T012 WIN 6 an UDE ATfoR/ws rs Jan. 1, 1935.E. cs. STAUDE 1,986,023

DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PAPER BOX MACHINES Filed Aug. 24, 1929 5Sheets-Sheet 4 45 35 5O 5 4e 27 Z8 x G 4 I 34 I 24"' A?':':':::II:::::.:::

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w/N STA 410E BY/M M E. G. STAUDE 1,986,023

Filed Aug. 24, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 R w MM N .w WMMm N r IT fiv w 3 a?mo m p 8 Jan. 1, 1935.

DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PAPER BOX MACHI NES Patented Jan. 1, 1935 PATENTOFFICE DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PAPER BOX MACHINES Edwin G. Staude,Minneapolis, Minn.

Application August 24,

28 Claims.

This invention relates to machines or mechanisms for receiving glued andfolded cartons or paper goods, in which the conveyor belt travels at aslower speed than the carton or paper articles, thereby causing thecarton or paper articles to over-lap, the extent of which overlap iscontrolled by the speed of the conveyor.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a flexible andyielding pressure means which engages the cartons in the region of theseam of the freshly glued cartons or paper articles, to keep the gluedseams under pressure contact until the adhesive is set and have saidmeans positively driven and capable of self-adjustment l5 conformable tomaterial of different thicknesses,

or such variations of thicknesses of over-lapping cartons, as willnecessarily follow depending on the length of the'carton and thedistance that it is overlapped.

A further object is to provide a pressure device which shall be fiexibleand yielding to accommodate itself for different thicknesses of theoverlapped cartons without causing any appreciable difference in thetension of the overhead pressure carrier belt.

A further object is to provide an overhead pressure carrier mechanismwhich shall be simple in construction and easily and quickly adapted foradjustment laterally across the face of the conveyor belt and also toadapt it for cartons of different lengths.

A further object is to provide a driving connection which will permitthe adjustment of the top pressure carrier mechanism and still operatein fixed bearings which may be easily lubricated, and which will keepthe top pressure mechanism in perfect alignment to prevent sagging.

Objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing detailed description of the drawings, and in said drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a delivery mech anism embodying my invention;1

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof; Figure 3 is a sectionsubstantially on line 33 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of thearrow;

Figure 4 is a cross section substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 2,looking in the direction of the arrow; Figure 5 is a detail of the typeof pulley construction as applied to the top pressure carrier forautomatic-ally keeping a belt under uniform tension regardless of theposition of the carrier; Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 showingthe mechanism adjusted for under-feed,

1929, Serial No. 388,200

REISSUED To enable the present invention to be understood, it will beunnecessary to illustrate or describe any particular type of box foldingmachinery, because the mechanism herein disclosed is suitable for use inconnection with any ma- 5 chine which folds blanks into flat forms withoverlapping adhesive flaps or glued seams.

The rear end of a folding box gluing machine is indicated by referencenumeral 2, in which the delivery rolls 3 are usually mounted fordelivering 10 the carton in the fiat to a suitable receiving mechanism.

To the legs 4 of the box gluing machine are attached brackets 5, whichbrackets in turn support brackets 6 which receive and support tubular 15frame elements '7. The elements '7 are supported medially by legs 8, seeFigure 3, and are also supported at the outer ends by legs 9, see Figure2. Mounted on the outer ends of the tubular frame I elements '7 aresuitable supports 10 and 11 having 20 bearings 12-13 for receiving across shaft 14. Upon this shaft is mounted a drum 15. The shaft has aworm wheel 16 keyed thereto and meshing with the worm 1'7, keyed toshaft 18 which ex- 1 tends longitudinally at one side of the machine. 25Shaft 18 is driven through a speed-change mechanism in this instancegiving three speeds. The driving mechanism is of the sprocket chaintype, the chains being respectively indicated at 19- .20--21. Thissprocket type speed-change mech- 30 anism as applied to a machine ofthis type is believed to be new, and is considered a feature of theinvention. Shaft 18 has three sprockets of different sizes, as shown,connected by the sprocket chains above mentioned, and correspond- 35 mgsprocket wheels of shaft 22, which shaft is connected with a drivingmechanism (not shown) of the folding box gluing machine, see Figure 1.

Supported by bracket 6 is a shaft 23 driven from shaft 18 by worm wheels2425. On the shaft 23 40 is mounted a drum 26. Mounted upon the drums15-26 and driven thereby is a heavy canvas carrier or conveyor belt 27of suitable width, to receive material to be conveyed, in this instancea glued carton.

To regulate the pitch of the receiving end of the conveyor there areprovided transversely disposed idler rolls 282930, see Figure 3,suitably mounted for adjustment in direction of feed. Upon and over thetubular frame elements 7 are mounted, one for each frame, castings 31having rollers 32-33 engaging the surfaces of said elements and rollingtherealong. This pitch regula-. tion is for the purpose of adjusting forcartons of different lengths. The frame and the rolls 32 55 and 33 areprevented from rising by means of clips 34, see Figure 3.

Each member 31 is provided with an upright portion 35, topped by abearing 36 adapted to receive the drive shaft 37, to which is splined apulley 38. Towards the rear of the conveyor, I

provide a pair of rollers 39, see Figure 2, having concaved surfacestraveling over the tubular frame 7. These rollers are suitably mountedand their mountings are connected with corresponding members 31 byirregular shaped rods 40. The rods 40 support suitable posts 41 and 42,which, in turn, support a fiat table 43 and the roll 30. The flat table43 is adapted to bear on the under surface of the conveyor belt 27, andsupport the conveyor belt in a horizontal plane.

The shaft 37 is positively driven by a sprocket 44 (see Figure 4) andthe sprocket chain 45 which passes over a suitable sprocket mounted onthe hub of the worm wheel 46. The worm wheel 46 is driven'by a worm 47,which is splined to the shaft 18. Mounted on both sides of the bearingsleeve 48 (see Figure 4) which is pressed into the hub 49 of the pulley38, I provide connecting members 50 and 51, having a running fit overthe extended portion of the sleeve 48. Members 50 and 51 are providedwith extensions 52 and 53, which are bolted to bars 54 and 55, aswinging member is thus provided. Pivotedon the outward ends 56 and 5'7of the bars 54 and are bars 58 and 59, constituting a second member.

The bars 5859 have each a slotted portion 60 adapted to receive thebearing 61 for idler pulley 62, and said bearing may be adjusted in theslot 60. The belt 63 passes over the drive pulley 38, the idler pulley64 of the tensioning means, the idler pulley 62 and under the series ofidler rolls 65 having extended pivots 66 adapted to float in slot 67 inthe members .58 and 59. A block 68 (see Figure 5) is secured between themembers 58 and 59, and has an extended portion 69 adapted to supportupright members 70 and '71, between which. the pulley 64 is mounted on apivot 72 held in position by suitable reduced portion 73 and nuts 74.

From the description just given it is clear as the thicknesses or layerof cartons or other material varies, the bars 58 and 59 carrying theidlers 65 will rise. Since the bars 54 and 55 are pivoted at point 56these bars will also rise and pivot at the bearings 50 and 51. As thebars 58 and 59 rise, they will in turn raise the members 70 and '71 andwith them the pulley 64, and take up any slack in the belt 63,automatically keeping thereby a uniform belt tension to the uppercarrier pressure device.

Referring to Figure 3, it is to be noted that the drive pulley 38 ismounted far enough away from the traveling conveyor belt 27 so that itwill at no time come in contact with the overlapping cartons or othermaterial, but at the same time it will have suflicient belt contact todefinitely drive the pressure belt 63 leaving the idler pulley 62 at theopposite end of the pressure belt free to float and adapt itself forlayers of overlapping cartons,

which will vary according to the length of the cartons and the speed atwhich they pass from the machine.

It must be noted that the overlapping distance will vary depending uponthe length of the carton and the space between the cartons as theytravel through the box machinery and on to the conveyor belt 27.

hese cartons, particularly the smaller ones,

have a tendency to spring open and therefore must be kept under anautomatic yielding device between two traveling conveyors both havingthe same speed and both being positively driven.

Suitable belt carrier mechanism 75 having a delivery belt 76 for guidingthe cartons into the throat 78 between the pulley 38 and the convey0r,27is provided. This, however, is of the usual construction and istherefore not described in detail.

The operation is as follows: The drums 15 and 26, both being positivelydriven, transmit motion to the conveyor 27 and is prevented from movingcrosswise from the drum 26 by a guiding mechanism 77, see Figure 4. Thisconsists of a member '78 and '79, pivoted at 80 and 81, on a shaft 82and carrying idler rolls 83 and 84. Elements 79'78 have slotsrespectively indicated 8685 whose centers of curvature lie in the axesof pivots 8180, Suitable cap screws 88--87 pass through the slots andare adapted to clamp the elements '7978 in any adjusted position.

The conveyor 2'? passes over the idler rolls 28, 29 and 30, but areadjusted to give proper pitch depending on the length of the cartons.The over-head pressure mechanism mounted in the member 35 is thenadjusted towards the receiving end of the conveyor to the properposition depending on the length of the carton. This means that themembers are moved bodily, the weight resting on the rolls 32 and 33, androlled over the surface of the tubular frame 7. The rod 40 carries withit the roll 39 and the table 43 through the supporting members 41 and42. The conveyor being empty, the belt 63 will lay in contact with thecanvas conveyor 27. The mechanism described by the numeral '75 is thenbrought up into the proper position to guide the folded cartons into thethroat 78 as hereinbefore described. The speed of the conveyor belt ofthe pressure device will be regulated so that the period of timerequired for the adhesive to permanently set will have lapsed throughthe interval that the cartons travel under the pressure belt and thisvariation floats pressure rolls 65.

An important feature of this invention relates to means for regulatingthe pitch or receiving level of the receiving end of the conveyor 27, sothat the rearmost blank of two consecutive blanks, can be fed under theforwardmost. The arrangement whereby the blanks can be underfed in themanner mentioned is quite important, and permits the machine to handleblanks having a variety of different types of flaps. Sometimes the fiapsare so positioned on the upper surfaces of the blanks that if the partsof the machine are set as shown in Figure 3, the rear carton will strikethe flap or flaps of the cartons which lie on the upper run of the apron27, and result in jamming or improper stacking. On cartons having trickcut-outs or peculiarly shaped locking flaps it is, therefore, importantthat the machine be adapted to deliver the rear carton beneath theforward carton. Figure 6 shows the machine set up so that the rearcarton is delivered beneath the forward carton.

If Figures 2 and 6 are compared, it will be seen that the roll 28 isadjustable longitudinally of the belt 27. The mount 28 for this roll hasclamping means 28 and is slotted as at 28 to receive the roll shaft 28for vertical adjustment. The vertical and longitudinal adjustments canbe made independently of rolls 29 and 30. It will be further noted thatroll 29 is independently vertically adjustable in slots 29 see Figures 1and f2, upon the frame 31. To change the upper run adjustable ount "31'.

shown in Figurefi, and the rolls 28 and 29 are vertically adjusted sothat, as shown in'Figure 6, their axes lie substantially in the samehorizontal plane. of course, various combinations and degrees ofadjustments maybe made to position the upper run of belt 27 as desired,relative to the forward ends of feed belts which are carried by rolls 3.

Another feature of the invention relates to the belt-supporting roller29 movable with the mount 31, and vertically adjustable for adjustingthe upper run of the belt27 relative to the lower run of the belt 63,and relative to the vertically adjustable roll 28. An important featurealso relates to the adjustability of the ro11'28 both longitudinally andvertically independently of and with reference to the mount 31 and/orthe roll 29.

Byv these adjustments, portions of the upper run of belt 27 can beangularly disposed in various relations to the belt 63, and/or the feedbelts carried by rolls 3.

Insofar as I am aware, I am the first to provide any means for soadjusting either the feed or the receiving belts, as to obtainunder-feed, or to obtain either under or over-feed, and the first toprovide means whereby these adjustments can be made relative to apresser belt (63), or in which arch-{functionally equivalent of roll 28,can be' adjusted with reference to a belt (27) and to a mount which isthe i'unctional'equivalent of 'Anotherfeature of invention relates tothe inclined relation of the upper run 2'7 of the glued carton, carriermechanism to the feed level of the feeding means. 'Thefeeding means isarranged'at alevel most convenient for lifting a stack of blanks tofeeding position, and a portion of the upper run of belt 27 is inclinedupwardlyfand means. is provided for adjusting the upper run so that thisupwardly inclined portion mergesinto a portion which is at a levelhigher than that of the feeding level, and at such a level as tofacilitate removal of the glued overlapped blanks; In other words, afeature is to provide a carrier mechanism for receiving the gluedcartons including an over-head pressure carrier mechanism having belt 63so arranged that the belts 27 and 63 operate at an incline, and deliverthe glued cartons at a level which is a greater distance above the floorthan that of the receiving end of the conveyor mechanism, and thus theoperator may remove the finished work with the least amount of fatigueand discomfort. It is, therefore, unnecessary for the attendant to bendover or stoop to remove the cartons. It is impractical to raise the workline of the machine proper to accomplish this result because the machinewould then be too high at the feeder end, and if made too high theoperator would be under too great a strain in lifting the blanks toplace them in the feeder. The inclined delivery arrangement, therefore,is of considerable advantage in that it can be adjusted to a level whichis most convenient for removal of the blanks wl-ilethe levelof the feedend can be at such a lower level as is most convenient for placing theblanks in the feeder.

I claim as my invention: I

l. A delivery mechanism for paper box machinery comprising a lowerconveyor belt, an upper including one'or more presser rollers beingadapted to swing from a point near the presser belt idler pulley, andmeans" for providing uniform belt tension on the presser belt regardlessof its position in relation to the presser belt drive pulley.

2. A delivery mechanism for paper'box machinery comprising a lowerconveyor belt, an 7 upper presser belt including drive and idlerpulleys, pulleys for positively driving both of said belts, guidemembers for supporting-the upper presser idler pulley in a manner topermit same to float or pivot around the upper presser belt drive pulleycenter, a truck member for holding said upper presser belt in yieldingcontact with the overlapped boxes, said member pivoted adjacent thepresser belt idler pulley to permit the said truck to float, and adaptitself to different positions at the presser drive pulley end, and itsopposite end being adapted to float with the saidpresser belt idlerpulley and means for automatically paying out or taking up the slack inthe upper presser belt as it accommodates itself to different thicknessof overlapped cartons or paper articles.

3. A delivery mechanism for paper box ma-' chines comprising a lowerconveyor belt, an upper presser belt including drive and idler pulleys,pulleys for positively driving said belts, 'w'orm and worm wheelconnections'forpositively driving" said pulleys; guide members forsupporting the; presser idler pulley to permitthe saidjpulley to floaterpivot around the upper presser belt drive' pulley center, a truckmemberfor liolding'said'presser belt in yielding contact withtheoverlapped cartons or other articles, and pivoted at or near the presserbelt idler pulley to permit thesaid truck to float at the presser drivepulley end, and adapted to float at the opposite end'withthe upperpresser belt idler pulley. a

4. A device of the class described including a conveyor and a shaftarranged there-adjacent, said shaft having a pulley, a frame comprisinga first member swingable about'the shaft toward and away from theconveyor, a second member having a pulley and further having a pluralityof rollers, a belt arranged upon the pulleys and having a run opposed tothe carrier and engaged by the rollers, said members being pivotedtogether at a point adjacent said last mentioned pulley.

5. A device of the class described including a conveyor and a shaftarranged there-adjacent, said shaft having a pulley, a frame comprisinga first member swingable' about the shaft toward and away from the,conveyor, a'second member having a pulley and further having a pluralityof rollers, a belt arranged upon the pulleys and having a run opposed tothecarrier and'engaged by the rollers, said members being pivotedtogether at a point adjacent said last mentioned pulley, and said secondmember extending generally in a direction toward the drive pulley.

presser belt, including drive and idler pulleyal plurality of rollers, abelt arranged upon the mentioned pulley, and said second memberextending generally in a direction toward the drive I pulley.

7. A device of the class described including a conveyor and a shaftarranged there-above, said shaft having a pulley, a floating framecomprise ing a first member swingable about the shaft toward and awayfrom the conveyor, a second member having a pulley and further having aplurality of rollers, a belt arranged upon the pulleys and having a runopposed to the carrier, and engaged by said rollers, said members beingpivoted together at a point adjacent said last mentioned pulley and thesecond member extending generally in a direction toward the drivepulley, and means carried by the second member and engaging the oppositerun of the belt in'a manner to maintain the tension of the belt for allswinging positions of said members.

8. A device of the class described including a conveyor and a shaftarranged there-above, said shaft having a pulley, a floating framecomprising a first member swingable about the shaft toward and away fromthe conveyor, a second member having. a terminal pulley remote from thedrive pulley and further having a plurality of rollers, a belt arrangedupon the pulleys and having a run opposedto the carrier, said rollersengaging the inner surfaces of the run in a manner to maintain thatportion of the run straight for a substantial distance, the rollersbeing adapted to adjust themselves in' the second member in a directiontoward andaway from that run which they engage, said-members beingpivoted together at a point adjacent said terminal pulley, and thesecond-member extending generally in a direction toward the drivepulley. 9. A device of the class described including a conveyor and ashaft arranged there-above, said shaft having a pulley, a floating framecomprising a first member swingable about the shaft toward and away fromthe conveyor, 8. second member having a terminal pulley remote from thedrive pulley and further having a plurality of rollers, a belt arrangedupon the pulleys and having a run opposed to the carrier, said rollersengaging the inner surfaces of the run in a manner to maintain thatportion of the run straight for a substantial distance, the rollersbeing adapted to adjust themselves in the second member in a directiontoward and away from that run which they engage, said members beingpivoted together at a point adjacent said terminal pulley and the secondmember extending generally in a direction toward the drive pulley, andmeans carried by the second member and engaging the opposite run of thebelt in a manner to maintain the tension of the belt for all swingingpositions of said frame members.

10. A delivery mechanism for paper box machinery comprising a lowerconveyor belt and an' upper presser belt, and means for supporting anddriving said upper belt, comprising a frame adjustable in direction offeed, a drive shaft journaled in said frame, a presser belt drivingelement on said shaft, and automatically adjustable belt supportingmeans lying between the belt runs swingingly supported on said driveshaft.

'11. A delivery mechanism for paper box machinery comprising a lowerconveyor belt and an upper presser belt, and means for supporting anddriving said upper belt comprising a frame adjustable in direction offeed, a shaft journaled in said frame and a presser belt driving elementon said shaft, and a roll carried by said frame and supporting the upperrun of the lower conveyor belt.

12. A delivery mechanism for paper box machinery comprising a lowerconveyor belt, a frame, a drive shaft carried by said frame and arrangedabove the belt, said shaft having a pulley, means supported by the shaftand swingable thereon and having a presser belt cooperable with thefirst mentioned belt and driven by said pulley, pulleys arranged betweenthe belt runs and carried by said shaft-supported means and holding saidruns outwardly beyond straight lines tangent to the peripheries of atleast two of said pulleys. H 7

13. A delivery mechanism for a paper box machine comprising a lowerconveyor belt, a drive shaft above the lower conveyor belt, supportingmeans swingable upon the shaft, belt-tensioning means swingable on saidsupporting means, a drive pulley on the shaft and a pulley on saidtensioning means, said pulleys supporting an upper presser belt, saiddrive shaft forming the sole support for said supporting and tensioningmeans.

14. A delivery mechanism for a paper box machine comprising a lowerconveyor belt, a drive shaft above the lower conveyor belt arrangedtransversely to line of feed, supporting means swingable upon the shaft,belt-tensioning means.

swingable on said supporting means, a drive pulley splined; on the shaftand a pulley on the supporting means, said pulleys supporting an upperpresser belt, and said drive shaft forming. the

sole support for said supporting and tensioning,

means.

15. A mechanism for the purpose described including a lower conveyorbelt, and an upper belt cooperative therewith for feeding blanks inoverand a narrower upper presser belt, and means for automaticallycompensating for variation in belt tension due to different thicknessesof overlapped material being fed and for maintaining asubstantiallylinear condition of the-lower run of the upper belt, saidmeans being floatingly disposed between and engaging the upper and lowerruns of said upper belt, said upper belt being mounted in a supportingdriving means adjustable in direction of travel of overlapped materialbeing fed.

1'7. In a device of the class described, means for feeding blanks, abelt arranged to receivethe blanks from the feeding means, and means bywhich the upper run of the belt can be adjusted to be operativelydisposed above or below the feeding level of the feeding means.

'18. In a device of the class described, means .for feeding blanks, abelt arranged to receive the blanks from the feeding means, and means bywhich the upper run ofthe belt can be adjusted to be operativelydisposed above the feeding level of the feeding means.

19. In a device of the class described, means for feeding blanks, a beltarranged to receive the blanks from the feeding means, and a s y whichthe'upper run of the belt can be adjusted to be operatively disposedabove or below the feeding level of the feeding means, and meansadjustable with respect to the upper run of the belt for pressingoverlapped blanks against said upper run.

20. A blank feeding mechanism, a receiving belt to which said feedmechanism delivers, a presser belt cooperative with the receiving beltto feed the blanks after delivery by the feeding means, a mount for saidpresser belt which is adjustable in direction of feed, a verticallyadjustable roll on said mount adapted to support the upper run of thereceiving belt, and a second supporting roll for said receiving beltarranged nearer said feeding means than the first mentioned roll, andvertically adjustable for raising and lowering the' upper run of saidbelt, and a mount for said last mentioned roll adjustable indirection offeed, independently of said presser belt mount.

21. A blank feeding mechanism, a receiving belt to which said feedmechanism delivers, a presser belt cooperative with the receiving beltto feed the blanks after delivery by the feeding means, a mount for saidpresser belt which is adjustable in direction of feed, a verticallyadjustable roll on said mount adapted to support the upper run of thereceiving belt, and a second supporting roll for said receiving beltvertically adjustable for raising and lowering the upper run of saidbelt, and a mount for said last mentioned roll adjustable in directionof feed.

22. A blank feeding mechanism, a roller-supported receiving belt towhich said feeding mechanism delivers, an additional supporting roll forsaid receiving belt, and means by which it is adjustable for positioninga portion of the upper run of the receiving belt which is nearer thefeeding mechanism below the delivery level of that mechanism, and forpositioning a more forward portion of said upper run at a level abovethat of the feeding level of said feeding mechanism.

23. A device of the class described including means for feeding foldedboxes, a conveyor belt upon which glued flattened cartons are deliveredin overlapped relation, a pressure belt adapted to engage the overlappedcartons andmove with them, said belts being inclined upwardly indirection of feed and being adapted to deliver the cartons at a levelhigher than that of the feed level of the feeding means, and meansadjustable in direction of travel of the glued flattened cartons forsupporting and driving said pressure belt.

24. A device of the class described including means for feeding foldedboxes, a conveyor belt upon the upper run of which glued flattenedcartons are delivered in overlapped relation, a pressure belt adapted toengage the overlapped cartons and move with them, said belts beinginclined upwardly in direction of feed and the upper run of the conveyorbelt being adapted to deliver the cartons at a level higher than that ofthe feed level of the feeding means, and means by which the upper runcan be adjusted to provide portions at different inclines successivelyless steep.

25. A delivery mechanism for paper working machinery comprising feedingmeans, a belt for receiving blanks delivered from the feeding means inoverlapped condition and having a portion upwardly and forwardlyinclined in direction of feed and merging into another portion which isabove the feeding level of the feeding means, the point of mergencebeing spaced from the delivery end of the feeding means a distance lessthan the length of the fed article in direction of feed, and means forholding the blanks in overlapped relation on the receiving belt.

26. A delivery mechanism for paper working machinery comprising feedingmeans, a belt for receiving blanks delivered from the feeding means andhaving a portion upwardly and forwardly inclined in direction of feedand merging into another portion which is above the feeding level of thefeeding means, the point of mergence being spaced from the delivery endof the feeding means a distance less than the length of the fed articlein direction of feed, and means for varying the level of said run tobring the last mentioned runportion also below the feeding level of saidfeeding means.

27. A device of the class described including means for feeding foldedboxes, a conveyor upon which the cartons are delivered in lappedrelation, and means adjustable to obtain underlapped or overlappeddelivery of the cartons to the conveyor.

28. In a device of the class described, means for feeding blanks, a beltarranged to receive the blanks from the feeding means, means by whichthe upper run of the belt can be adjusted to be operatively disposed toraise the rear end of a forward article being stacked to causeunderneath feeding of a following article.

EDWIN G. STAUDE.

